Research Article

Association of genetic variations in the ACLY gene with growth traits in Chinese beef cattle

Published: July 14, 2016
Genet. Mol. Res. 15(2): gmr8250 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15028250
Cite this Article:
M.N. Li, X. Guo, P.J. Bao, X.Y. Wu, X.Z. Ding, M. Chu, C.N. Liang, P. Yan, M.N. Li, X. Guo, P.J. Bao, X.Y. Wu, X.Z. Ding, M. Chu, C.N. Liang, P. Yan (2016). Association of genetic variations in the ACLY gene with growth traits in Chinese beef cattle. Genet. Mol. Res. 15(2): gmr8250. https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15028250
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Abstract

ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) is the primary enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cytosolic acetyl-CoA, which is a key precursor of both fatty acid and mevalonate synthesis pathways. Genetic variation of the ACLY gene may influence multiple traits associated with animal production. Here, we identified three non-synonymous mutations in ACLY exons in five beef cattle populations using DNA pool sequencing and high-resolution melting analysis. Results from association analyses revealed that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) g.17127C>T is significantly associated with chest girth (P < 0.01) and body height (P < 0.05) in the Fleckvieh x Zhangye local crossbred cattle, and with body slanting length (P < 0.05) in the Simmental x Guyuan local crossbred cattle. SNP g.40427T>C is significantly associated with an increase in chest girth (P < 0.05) in the Simmental x Huzhu cattle population. These results provide preliminary evidence that polymorphisms in the bovine ACLY gene are associated with growth traits in beef cattle in northwest China. However, a larger sample set is needed to validate these findings.

ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) is the primary enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cytosolic acetyl-CoA, which is a key precursor of both fatty acid and mevalonate synthesis pathways. Genetic variation of the ACLY gene may influence multiple traits associated with animal production. Here, we identified three non-synonymous mutations in ACLY exons in five beef cattle populations using DNA pool sequencing and high-resolution melting analysis. Results from association analyses revealed that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) g.17127C>T is significantly associated with chest girth (P C is significantly associated with an increase in chest girth (P ACLY gene are associated with growth traits in beef cattle in northwest China. However, a larger sample set is needed to validate these findings.